Cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids

ABSTRACT

Described are the cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids defined according to the structure: ##STR1## wherein R 1  represents hydrogen or methyl; R 2  represents mono C 1  -C 4  alkyl substituted or unsubstituted C 5  -C 8  cycloalkyl; R 3  represents hydrogen or methyl; and N represents 0, 1 or 2 and uses thereof in augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of foodstuffs.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 768,706, filed Aug. 23,1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,082.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoicacids defined according to the structure: ##STR2## wherein R₁ representshydrogen or methyl; R₂ represents mono C₁ -C₄ alkyl substituted orunsubstituted C₅ -C₈ cycloalkyl; R₃ represents hydrogen or methyl; and Nrepresents 0, 1 or 2 and uses thereof in augmenting or enhancing thearoma or taste of foodstuffs.

Artificial flavoring agents for foodstuffs have received increasingattention in recent years. In many areas, such food flavoring agents arepreferred over natural flavoring agents at least in part, because of theuniform flavor that may be so obtained. For example, natural foodflavoring agents such as extracts, essences, concentrates and the likeare often subject to wide variations due to changes in quality and typeand treatment of the raw materials. Such variations can be reflected inthe end product and results in unreliable flavor characteristics anduncertainty as to consumer acceptance cost. Additionally, the presenceof the natural product in the ultimate food may be undesirable becauseof the increased tendency to spoil. This is particularly troublesome inconvenience and snack food usage where such products as dips, soups,chips, prepared dinners, canned foods, sauces, gravies and the like areapt to be stored by the consumer for some time prior to use.

The fundamental problem in preparing artificial flavoring agents is thatof achieving as nearly as possible a true flavor reproduction. Thisgenerally proves to be a difficult task since the mechanism forflavoring development in many foods is not understood. This is notablein products having roasted, roasted sesame, roasted peanut, concordgrape, burnt potato skin, cashew juice, roasted almond, roasted meat,peanut, yeasty, cashew, fruity, kiwi-like, citrus, boiled corn, boiledgreen bean, cooked ham, bread crust, pineapple, roasted nut, grapefruit,meaty, sesame, oniony and roasted onion aroma and taste nuances.

Reproduction of roasted, roasted sesame, roasted peanut, sulfury,concord grape, burnt potato skin, cashew juice, roasted almond,pineapple, roasted nut, grapefruit, meaty, sesame, oniony, roastedonion, floral, roasted meat, peanut, yeasty, cashew, bread crust,fruity, green, kiwi-like, citrus, boiled corn, boiled green bean andcooked ham aroma and taste nuances has been the subject of long andcontinuous searches by those engaged in the production of foodstuffs.The severe shortage of food, especially protein foods, in many parts ofthe world has given rise to the need for utilizing non-meat sources ofproteins and making such proteins as palatable as possible. Hence,materials which will closely simulate or exactly reproduce the flavorand aroma of peanut, almond, sesame, potato, concord grape, cashewjuice, roasted almond, caramel, roasted meat, roasted nut, cashew,yeast, kiwi, citrus, cooked vegetables, cooked ham, pineapple,grapefruit and durian are required. Furthermore, meat flavors andvegetable flavors have been enhanced previously by the use of suchmaterials as monosodium glutamate. In many diets, sodium is not desired.Furthermore, in many diets, the use of glutamate ion or glutamic acid ishighly undesirable. Therefore a need has arisen for a monosodiumglutamate replacer and an alkali metal glutamate replacer which does nothave any glutamate ion or any sodium ion present.

Moreover, there are a great many meat containing or meat based foodspresently distributed in a preserved form. Examples of these arecondensed soups, dry soup mixes, dry meat, freeze dried or lyophilizedmeats, packaged gravies and the like. While these products contain meator meat extracts, the fragrance, taste and other organoleptic factorsare often impaired by the processing operation and it is desirable tosupplement or enhance the flavors of these preserved foods withversatile materials which have roasted, roasted meat and roasted nutaroma and taste nuances.

Food flavors in the thioalkanoic acid ester area are known in the priorart.

Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,403 discloses the genus of compounds definedaccording to the structure: ##STR3## wherein R and R' represent hydrogenor C₁ -C₃ alkyl as food flavorants, particularly in the fruity,vegetable or green pine needle aroma and taste area.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,800 relates to the processes for augmenting orenhancing the aroma or taste of foodstuffs using methylthio butanoicacid derivatives. U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,556, at Example XVII thereofstates that ethyl-4-(methylthio)butyrate may be added to a cheese sauceto increase the notes usually present in the surface ripened cheese andto increase the cheese flavor intensity. In Example XX it is furtherstated that this compound, ethyl-4-(methylthio)butyrate is added totobacco to enhance the pineapple character of a fruit flavor fortobacco.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,562 issued on Apr. 22, 1975 and the reissue patentthereof, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,370 issued on Aug. 12, 1980 disclose thegenus of compounds having the structure: ##STR4## wherein R₁ representsalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkenyl and R₂ representsalkyl, alkyl thioalkyl, aralkyl, alkaryl or aryl in augmenting orenhancing the aroma or taste of various foodstuffs.

McFadden, et al., Analytical Chemistry 37,560, have suggested thepresence of methyl thiohexanoate and thioheptanoate in oil derived fromhops, and Buttery, et al., have reported similar work in J.Chromatography 18,399. Schultz, Day and Libbey, "The Chemistry andPhysiology of Flavors", Westport, Conn.: Avi. Publishing Company, 1967,at page 412 disclose thioesters useful in flavoring.

Nevertheless, nothing in the prior art discloses the cycloalkyl estersof mercaptoalkanoic acids of our invention or their unexpected,unobvious and advantageous uses in augmenting or enhancing the aroma ortaste of foodstuffs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example I(A)containing the compound having the structure: ##STR5## (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 2 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR6## produced according to Example I(A) (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 3 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR7## prepared according to Example I(B) (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 4 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example IIcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR8## (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).

FIG. 5 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR9## prepared according to Example II (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 6 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example IIIcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR10## (Conditions:Carbowax column programmed at 220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 7 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR11## prepared according to Example III (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 8 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR12## prepared according to Example IV(A) (Conditions: Fieldstrength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 9 is the GLC profile for Fraction 15 of the distillation product ofthe reaction product of Example IV(B) containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR13##

FIG. 10 is the GLC profile for Fraction 8 of the distillation product ofthe reaction product of Example IV(B) containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR14## (Conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 11 is the GLC profile for Fraction 16 of the distillation productof the reaction product of Example IV(B) containing the compound havingthe structure: ##STR15## (Conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmedat 220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 12 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example Vcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR16## (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 13 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR17## prepared according to Example V (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 14 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example VIcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR18## (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).

FIG. 15 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR19## prepared according to Example VI (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 16 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR20## prepared according to Example VII (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 17 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of ExampleVIII containing the compound having the structure: ##STR21## preparedaccording to Example VIII (Conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmedat 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).

FIG. 18 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR22## prepared according to Example VIII (Conditions: Fieldstrength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 19 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example IXcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR23## (Conditions:8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at 220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 20 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR24## prepared according to Example IX (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 21 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR25## prepared according to Example X (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 22 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example XIcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR26## (Conditions:Carbowax column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).

FIG. 23 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR27## prepared according to Example XI (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 24 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product having thestructure: ##STR28## prepared according to Example XII.

FIG. 25 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR29## prepared according to Example XII (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 26 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR30## prepared according to Example XIII (Conditions: Fieldstrength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 27 is the GLC profile for Fraction 4 of the distillation product ofthe reaction product of Example XIV containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR31## (Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 28 is the GLC profile for Fraction 3 of the distillation product ofthe reaction product of Example XIV containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR32## (Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 29 is the NMR spectrum for Fraction 3 of the distillation productof the reaction product of Example XIV containing the compound havingthe structure: ##STR33## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent:CFCl₃).

FIG. 30 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR34## prepared according to Example XV (Conditions: Field strength:100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 31 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of ExampleXXII containing the compound having the structure: ##STR35##

FIG. 32 is the GLC profile for Fraction 3 of the distillation of thereaction product of Example XXII containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR36##

FIG. 33 is the GLC profile for Fraction 4 of the distillation of thereaction product of Example XXII containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR37##

FIG. 34 is the GLC profile for Fraction 5 of the distillation of thereaction product of Example XXII containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR38## (Conditions: Carbowax column programmed at100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).

FIG. 35 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR39## prepared according to Example XXII (Conditions: Fieldstrength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

FIG. 36 is the GLC profile for Fraction 4 of the distillation of thereaction product of Example XXIII containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR40## (Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).

FIG. 37 is the NMR spectrum for Fraction 4 of the distillation of thereaction product of Example XXIII containing the compound having thestructure: ##STR41## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent:CFCl₃).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example I(A)(Conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 220° C. isothermal).The peak indicated by reference numeral 10 is the peak for the reactionsolvent. The peak indicated by reference numeral 11 is the peak for theproduct having the structure: ##STR42##

FIG. 4 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example II(Conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C.per minute). The peak indicated by reference numeral 40 is the peak forthe compound having the structure: ##STR43##

FIG. 6 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example IIIcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR44## (Conditions:Carbowax column programmed at 220° C. isothermal). The peak indicated byreference numeral 60 is the peak for the compound having the structure:##STR45##

FIG. 12 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example Vcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR46## (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 220° C. isothermal). The peakindicated by reference numeral 120 is the peak for the compound havingthe structure: ##STR47##

FIG. 14 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example VIcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR48## (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).The peak indicated by reference numeral 140 is the peak for the compoundhaving the structure: ##STR49##

FIG. 17 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of ExampleVIII containing the compound having the structure: ##STR50##(Conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C.per minute). The peak indicated by reference numeral 170 is the peak forthe compound having the structure: ##STR51##

FIG. 19 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example IXcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR52## (Conditions:8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at 220° C. isothermal). The peakindicated by reference numeral 190 is the peak for the compound havingthe structure: ##STR53##

FIG. 22 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product of Example XIcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR54## (Conditions:Carbowax column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute). Thepeak indicated by reference numeral 220 is the peak for the the compoundhaving the structure: ##STR55##

THE INVENTION

The present invention provides cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoicacids useful for augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste offoodstuffs, said cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids beingdefined according to the structure: ##STR56## wherein R₁ representshydrogen or methyl; R₂ represents mono C₁ -C₄ alkyl substituted orunsubstituted C₅ -C₈ cycloalkyl; R₃ represents hydrogen or methyl; and Nrepresents 0, 1 or 2 as well as methods for augmenting, enhancing, ormodifying the organoleptic properties, e.g., taste and aroma of saidfoodstuffs using said cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids.

The cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our invention augmentor enhance roasted, roasted sesame, roasted peanut, sulfury, concordgrape, burnt potato skin, cashew juice, roasted almond, floral, roastedmeat, peanut, yeasty, cashew, fruity, green, kiwi, citrus, bread crust,boiled corn, boiled bean, cooked ham, pineapple, grapefruit, meaty,sesame, oniony and roasted onion aroma and taste nuances in foodstuffflavors making them useful for augmenting or enhancing flavors for suchfoodstuffs as peanut, almond, sesame, potato, concord grape, cashew,roasted almond, caramel, roasted meat, roasted nut, roasted, nutty,cashew, yeast, kiwi, citrus, cooked vegetable, cooked ham, pineapple,grapefruit and durian flavored foodstuffs.

The cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our invention may beprepared by reacting an alcohol having the structure:

    R.sub.2 --OH

with a mercapto alkanoic acid having the structure: ##STR57## in thepresence of a protonic acid such as para-toluene sulfonic acid or in theabsence of such acid at temperatures in the range of from about 100° C.up to about 150°; preferably at reflux conditions at atmosphericpressure. Pressures higher than atmospheric pressure may be utilizedthereby giving rise to higher temperatures of reaction and shorter timeperiods of reaction. The time of reaction may vary from about 3 hours upto about 15 hours depending on the temperature of reaction.

Accordingly, the reaction taking place may be shown generically, thus:##STR58## wherein R₁ represents hydrogen or methyl; R₂ represents monoC₁ -C₄ alkyl substituted or unsubstituted C₅ -C₈ cycloalkyl; R₃represents hydrogen or methyl; and N represents 0, 1 or 2. Examples ofthe alcohol defined according to the structure:

    R.sub.2 --OH

are:

cyclopentanol;

cyclohexenol;

cycloheptanol;

cyclooctanol; 1-methyl cyclohexanol;

2-methyl cyclohexanol;

3-methyl cyclohexanol;

4-methyl cyclohexanol;

1-methyl cyclopentanol;

2-methyl cyclopentanol;

3-methyl cyclopentanol;

1-methyl cycloheptanol;

2-methyl cycloheptanol;

3-methyl cycloheptanol;

4-methyl cycloheptanol;

1-methyl cyclooctanol;

2-methyl cyclooctanol;

3-methyl cyclooctanol;

4-methyl cyclooctanol;

2,4-dimethyl cyclooctanol;

2,5-dimethyl cyclooctanol;

2,4-dimethyl cycloheptanol;

2,4-dimethyl cyclohexanol;

2,5-dimethyl cyclohexanol;

2,3-dimethyl cyclohexanol.

Examples of mercapto alkanoic acids defined according to the genericstructure: ##STR59## are as follows: 2-Mercapto propionic acid havingthe structure: ##STR60## 3-Mercapto propionic acid having the structure;##STR61## 2-Mercapto acetic acid having the structure: ##STR62##

The cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our invention may beprepared, in the alternative, by reacting a mercaptan having thestructure:

    R.sub.3 '--SH

wherein R₃ ' represents C₁ -C₃ lower alkyl with an alpha, beta, or gammahalogen-substituted alkanoic acid ester having the structure: ##STR63##wherein R₁, R₂ and N are defined, supra and X represents chloro or bromoaccording to the reaction: ##STR64## The reaction with the mercaptanhaving the structure:

    R.sub.3 '--SH

takes place in the presence of an alkali metal alkoxide catalyst such assodium methoxide, potassium methoxide, potassium iso-t-butoxide and thelike. The reaction takes place at a temperature in the range of fromabout 0° C. up to about 30° C. When methyl mercaptan is used as areactant, the methyl mercaptan being a gas at room temperature andpressure is bubbled in below the reaction mass and the temperature ispreferably maintained at 10°-15° C.

The cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our invention mayalso be prepared by means of a reaction well known to those havingordinary skill in the art as "ester interchange" whereby a lower alkylester of a mercapto or alkyl mercapto alkanoic acid is reacted with acycloalkanol, e.g., cyclohexanol, cyclopentanol, cyclooctanol,cycloheptanol or 4-t-butyl cyclohexanol according to the reaction:##STR65## wherein R₄ of the molecule: ##STR66## is C₁ -C₃ lower alkyl,e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl. This reaction takes place inthe presence of an alkali metal alkoxide catalyst such as sodiummethoxide, potassium ethoxide or potassium iso-t-butoxide at atemperature in the range of from about 90° C. up to about 130° C. atatmospheric pressure.

Examples of the products of our invention and their organolepticproperties are set forth in Table I below as follows:

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Structure of Compound                                                         And Example Set Forth                                                         Infra Used          Organoleptic                                              To Prepare Same:    Properties                                                ______________________________________                                         ##STR67##          A roasted, roasted sesame and roasted peanut aroma                            and taste profile at 0.1 ppm causing it to be useful                          in peanut, almond and sesame flavored foodstuffs.          ##STR68##          A roasted, sulfury, concord grape and burnt potato                            skin aroma and taste profile at 0.1 ppm causing it to                         be useful in potato and concord grape flavored                                foodstuffs.                                                ##STR69##          A roasted, cashew juice, sulfury and roasted almond                           aroma and taste profile at 0.01 ppm causing it to be                          useful in cashew juice, roasted almond and caramel                            flavored foodstuffs.                                       ##STR70##          A roasted, sulfury and floral aroma and taste profile                         at 0.5 ppm.                                                ##STR71##          A roasted and roasted meat aroma and taste profile at                         0.001 ppm causing it to be useful in roasted meat,                            roasted nut and caramel flavored foodstuffs.               ##STR72##          A roasted, peanut, yeasty and cashew aroma and taste                          profile at 0.1 ppm causing it to be useful in                                 roasted, nutty, cashew and yeast flavored                                     foodstuffs.                                                ##STR73##          A roasted, bread crust- like, cashew juice, roasted                           almond, roasted sesame and concord grape aroma and                            taste profile at 0.2 ppm causing it to be useful in                           roasted almond, caramel and concord grape flavored                            foodstuffs.                                                ##STR74##          A roasted, fruity, green, Kiwi-like and citrus aroma                          and taste profile at 0.1 ppm causing it to be useful                          in Kiwi, cashew and citrus flavored foodstuffs.            ##STR75##          A boiled corn, boiled green bean and cooked ham aroma                         and taste profile at 1 ppm.                                ##STR76##          A boiled corn, boiled green bean and cooked ham aroma                         and taste profile at 1 ppm.                                ##STR77##          A pineapple and green aroma and taste profile at 0.2                          ppm causing it to be useful in pineapple flavored                             foodstuffs.                                                ##STR78##          A fruity, pineapple and roasted aroma and taste                               profile at 0.2 ppm causing it to be useful in                                 pineapple and peanut flavored foodstuffs.                  ##STR79##          A roasted, roasted nut, floral, citrus and grapefruit                         aroma and taste profile at 0.1 ppm causing it to be                           useful in grapefruit and durian-flavored foodstuffs.       ##STR80##          A roasted, meaty and sesame aroma and taste profile                           at 1 ppm causing it to be useful in sesame, roasted                           almond and roasted peanut flavored foodstuffs.             ##STR81##          An oniony and roasted onion aroma and taste profile                           at 0.2 ppm.                                                ##STR82##          A roasted, floral and grapefruit aroma and taste                              profile at 0.5 ppm.                                        ##STR83##          A pineapple and fruity aroma and taste profile at 5                           ppm.                                                      ______________________________________                                    

At the end of the reaction as stated, supra, the reaction product isextracted from the reaction mass or the reaction mass is washed, forexample, with saturated sodium chloride. The reaction product is thendistilled preferably by means of vacuum distillation.

Thus, the cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our inventioncan be used to alter, vary, fortify, modify, enhance or otherwiseimprove the organoleptic properties including flavor and/or aroma of awide variety of materials which are ingested, consumed or otherwiseorganoleptically sensed.

The term "alter" in its various forms will be understood herein to meanthe supplying or imparting of a flavor character or note to an otherwisebland, relatively tasteless substance or augmenting an existing flavorcharacteristic where the natural flavor is deficient in some regard orsupplementing the existing flavor or aroma impression to modify theorganoleptic character. The materials which are so altered are generallyreferred to herein as consumable materials.

Such cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our invention areaccordingly useful in flavoring compositions. Flavoring compositions areherein taken to mean those which contribute a part of the overall flavorimpression by supplementing or fortifying a natural or artifical flavorin a material, as well as those which supply substantially all theflavor and/or aroma character to a consumable article.

The term "foodstuff" as used herein includes both solid and liquidingestible materials for man or animals, which materials usually do, butneed not, have nutritional value. Thus foodstuffs include meats,gravies, soups, convenience foods, malt and other alcoholic ornon-alcoholic beverages, milk and dairy products, nut butters such aspeanut butter and other spreads, seafoods including fish, crustaceans,mollusks and the like, candies, breakfast foods, baked goods,vegetables, cereals, soft drinks, snack foods, dog and cat foods, otherveterinary products, and the like.

When the cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our inventionare used in a food flavoring composition, they can be combined withconventional flavoring materials or adjuvants. Such co-ingredients orflavoring adjuvants are well known in the art for such use and have beenextensively described in the literature. Apart from the requirement thatany such adjuvant material is ingestibly acceptable, and thus non-toxicor otherwise non-deleterious, conventional materials can be used andbroadly include other flavor materials, vehicles, stabilizers,thickeners, surface active agents, conditioners and flavor intensifiers.

Examples of preferred co-flavoring adjuvants are:

Methyl thiazole alcohol (4-methyl-5-betahydroxyethyl thiazole);

2-Methyl butanethiol;

4-Mercapto-2-butanone;

3-Mercapto-2-pentanone;

1-Mercapto-2-propanone;

Benzaldehyde;

Furfural;

Furfuryl alcohol;

2-Mercapto propionic acid;

Alkyl pyrazine;

Methyl pyrazine;

2-Ethyl-3-methyl pyrazine;

Polysulfides;

Dipropyl disulfide;

Allyl propyl disulfide;

Allyl propyl trisulfide;

Allyl propenyl disulfide;

Allyl propenyl trisulfide;

Methyl benzyl disulfide;

Alkyl thiophenes;

2-Butyl thiophene;

2,3-Dimethyl thiophene;

5-Methyl furfural;

2,5-Dimethyl-3-acetyl furan;

2,4-Decadienal;

Guiacol;

Phenyl acetaldehyde;

Gamma-Decalactone;

d-Limonene;

Acetoin;

Amyl acetate;

Maltol;

Ethyl butyrate;

Levulinic acid;

Piperonal;

Ethyl acetate;

n-Octanal;

n-Pentanal;

n-Hananal;

Diacetyl;

Monosodium glutamate;

Monopotassium glutamate;

Sulphur-containing amino acids, e.g., cysteine;

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein;

2-Methylfuran-3-thiol;

2-Methyldihydrofuran-3-thiol;

2,5-dimethylfuran-3-thiol;

Hydrolyzed fish protein; and

Tetramethyl pyrazine.

The cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids or the compositionsincorporating them, as mentioned above, can be combined with one or morevehicles or carriers for adding them to the particular product to beflavored. Vehicles can be edible or otherwise suitable materials such asethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, water and the like. Carriers includematerials such as gum arabic, carrageenan, guar gum, xantham gum and thelike. The cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids of our inventioncan be incorporated with the carriers by conventional means such asspray-drying, drum-drying and the like. Such carriers can also includematerials for coacervating the cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoicacids of our invention (and other flavoring ingredients, as present) toprovide encapsulated products. When the carrier is an emulsion, theflavoring composition can also contain emulsifiers such as mono- anddiglycerides or fatty acids and the like. With these carriers orvehicles, the desired physical form of the composition can be prepared.

The quantity of cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids utilizedshould be sufficient to impart the desired flavor characteristics to theproduct, but on the other hand, the use of an excessive amount of thederivative is not only wasteful and uneconomical, but in some instancestoo large a quantity may unbalance the flavor or other organolepticproperties of the product consumed. The quantity used will varydepending upon the ultimate foodstuff; the amount and type of flavorinitially present in the foodstuff; the further process or treatmentsteps to which the foodstuff will be subjected; regional and otherpreference factors; the type of storage, if any, to which the productwill be subject; and the preconsumption treatment, such as baking,frying and so on, given to the product by the ultimate consumer.Accordingly, the terminology "effective amount" and "sufficient amount"is understood in the context of the present invention to bequantitatively adequate to alter the flavor of the foodstuff.

It is accordingly preferred that the ultimate composition contain fromabout 0.001 parts per million (ppm) to about 250 ppm of cycloalkylesters of mercaptoalkanoic acids or mixtures thereof. More particularly,in food compositions it is desirable to use from about 0.001 ppm to 100ppm for enhancing flavors and in certain preferred embodiments of theinvention, from about 0.001 to 50 ppm of the derivatives are included toadd positive flavors to the finished product.

The amount of cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids or mixturesthereof of our invention to be utilized in flavoring compositions can bevaried over a wide range depending upon the particular quality to beadded to the foodstuff. Thus, amounts of one or more derivativesaccording to the present invention of from about 0.04 ppm up to 80 or 90percent of the total flavoring composition can be incorporated in suchcompositions. It is generally found to be desirable to include fromabout 0.05 ppm up to about 0.1 percent of the cycloalkyl esters ofmercaptoalkanoic acids in such compositions.

The following examples are given to illustrate embodiments of theinvention as it is preferred to practice it. It will be understood thatthese examples are illustrative and the invention is not to beconsidered as restricted thereto except as indicated in the appendedclaims.

All parts, proportions, percentages and ratios used herein are by weightunless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE I(A) PREPARATION OF THE CYCLOHEPTYL ESTER OF4-(METHYLTHIO)BUTYRIC ACID

Reaction: ##STR84##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with magnetic stirrer, heatingmantle, thermometer, and nitrogen sparger are placed 11.4 gramscycloheptanol; 8.1 grams of the methyl ester of 4-methylthiobutyricacid; and 0.5 grams of sodium methoxide. With stirring, the reactionmass is slowly heated to 100° C. over a 15 minute period. The reactionmass is stirred at 100° C. for a period of 5 hours. At the end of the 5hour period, the reaction mass is washed with saturated sodium chloride,dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and fractionally distilledyielding the following fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor       Liquid   Vacuum                                         Fraction  Temp.       Temp.    mm/Hg.                                         No.       (°C.)                                                                              (°C.)                                                                           Pressure                                       ______________________________________                                        1         70/70       110/103  10                                             2         165         180      10                                             3         165         185      10                                             4         165          95      10                                             ______________________________________                                    

The resulting product has a pineapple and sulfury aroma and tasteprofile at 10 ppm.

FIG. 1 is the GLC profile of the crude reaction product. The peakindicated by reference numeral 10 is the peak for the excess "solvent",in this case the reactant, cycloheptanol. The peak indicated byreference numeral 11 is the peak for the product having the structure:##STR85## (GLC conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 220° C.isothermal).

FIG. 2 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR86## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE I(B) PREPARATION OF THE CYCLOHEPTYL ESTER OF4-(METHYLTHIO)BUTYRIC ACID

Reaction: ##STR87##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with hot plate, reflux condenser,stirring bar and gas bubbler are placed 35 grams of sodium methoxide and25 ml of methyl alcohol. Over a period of 15 minutes, 30 grams of methylmercaptan are added using the gas bubbler, below the surface of thereaction mixture with stirring. After the methyl mercaptan is added,with stirring 86 grams of chlorocycloheptyl butyrate is added to thereaction mass while maintaining the reaction temperature at 10°-15° C.The reaction mass is continued to be stirred for a period of 8 hours at10°-15° C.

At the end of the reaction, the reaction mass is transferred to aseparatory funnel and washed with three 100 ml volumes of water followedby drying over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The reaction mass is thenfractionally distilled to yield the compound having the structure:##STR88## as confirmed by NMR, IR, GLC and mass spectral analyses. Thereaction product having the structure: ##STR89## has a fruity, pineappleand roasted aroma and taste profile at 0.2 ppm causing it to be usefulin pineapple and peanut-flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 3 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR90## prepared according to this example (Conditions: Fieldstrength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE II PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEXYL MERCAPTO ACETATE

Reaction: ##STR91##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, condenser,thermometer, hot plate, heating mantle and spin bar are placed 25 gramsof cyclohexenol, 9.2 grams of mercapto acetic acid and 0.5 grams ofparatoluene sulfonic acid. The reaction mass is heated to reflux andmaintained at reflux for a period of 10 hours. At the end of thereaction, the reaction mass is fractionally distilled yielding thecompound having the structure: ##STR92## (as confirmed by NMR, IR andmass spectral analyses). The product having the structure: ##STR93## hasa roasted, roasted nut, floral, citrus and grapefruit aroma and tasteprofile at 0.1 ppm causing it to be useful in grapefruit anddurian-flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 4 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product containing thecompound having the structure: ##STR94## (Conditions: 8'×0.125" SE-30column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute). The peakindicated by reference numeral 40 is the peak for the compound havingthe structure: ##STR95##

FIG. 5 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR96## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE III PREPARATION OF CYCLOOCTYL-2-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR97##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with reflux condenser,thermometer, hot plate, spin bar and heating mantle are placed 12.8grams of cyclooctanol; 22 grams of 2-mercaptopropionic acid and 0.5grams of paratoluene sulfonic acid. The reaction mass is heated toreflux and maintained at reflux for a period of 10 hours. At the end ofthe reaction mass, the reaction product is washed with one 25 ml volumeof water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The reaction mass isthen distilled on a micro distillation column yielding the compoundhaving the structure: ##STR98##

The compound having the structure: ##STR99## has a roasted, meaty andsesame aroma and taste profile at 1 ppm causing it to be useful insesame, roasted almond and roasted peanut flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 6 is the GLC profile of the crude reaction product containing thecompound having the structure: ##STR100## (Conditions: Carbowax columnprogrammed at 220° C. isothermal). The peak indicated by referencenumeral 60 is the peak for the compound having the structure: ##STR101##

FIG. 7 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR102## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE IV(A) PREPARATION OF CYCLOPENTYL-3-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR103##

Into a 250 cc reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and heating mantle are placed 100 grams of cyclopentanol; 25grams of 3-mercaptopropionic acid and 0.5 grams of paratoluene sulfonicacid. The reaction mass is heated to reflux and maintained at reflux fora period of 8 hours. At the end of the 8 hour period, the reaction massis admixed with 200 ml of anhydrous diethylether and then washed withtwo 100 ml volumes of 10% aqueous sodium carbonate followed by one 100ml volume of water. The reaction mass is dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate and the solvent is recovered on a Buchi evaporator. The reactionmass is then distilled using micro distillation apparatus to yield thecompound having the structure: ##STR104## A GLC trap of this compoundgives rise to a material having a roasted peanut, yeasty and cashewaroma and taste profile at 0.1 ppm causing it to be useful in roasted,nutty, cashew and yeast flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 8 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR105## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE IV(B) PREPARATION OF CYCLOPENTYL-3-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR106##

Into a 1 liter reaction flask equipped with heating mantle, stirrer,thermometer and reflux condenser are placed 172 grams of cyclopentanol;265 grams of 3-mercaptopropionic acid and 0.5 grams of paratoluenesulfonic acid. The reaction mass is heated to reflux and reflux iscontinued for a period of 8 hours. At the end of the 8 hour period, thereaction mass is fractionally distilled on a 2" splash column yieldingthe following fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor       Liquid   Vacuum                                         Fraction  Temp.       Temp.    mm/Hg.                                         No.       (°C.)                                                                              (°C.)                                                                           Pressure                                       ______________________________________                                        1          60/         84/     4                                              2         95           98      2                                              3         97           55      2                                              4         98          100      2                                              5         99          100      2                                              6         99          101      2                                              7         99          102      2                                              8         100         115      2                                              9         110         160      2                                              ______________________________________                                    

Fractions 1∝9 are bulked and redistilled on a one foot stone-packedcolumn yielding the following fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor   Liquid     Vacuum                                           Fraction  Temp.   Temp.      mm/Hg. Reflux                                    No.       (°C.)                                                                          (°C.)                                                                             Pressure                                                                             Ratio                                     ______________________________________                                        1          50/     115/      20     9:1                                       2          60     120        20     9:1                                       3         108     118        10     9:1                                       4         104     118        10     9:1                                       5         104     118        10     9:1                                       6         105     120        10     9:1                                       7         105     120        10     9:1                                       8         104     120        10     9:1                                       9         104     118        10     9:1                                       10        102     118        10     9:1                                       11        102     116        10     9:1                                       12        102     119        10     9:1                                       13        102     124        10     19:1                                      14        102     132        10     19:1                                      15        103     150        10     19:1                                      16        100     176        10     19:1                                      ______________________________________                                    

The resulting distillation product (bulked Fractions 8-16) has aroasted, bread crust, cashew juice, roasted almond, roasted sesame andconcord grape aroma and taste profile at 0.2 ppm causing it to be usefulin roasted almond, caramel and concord grape flavored foodstuffs.

GLC, IR, NMR and mass spectral analyses confirm that the product has thestructure: ##STR107##

FIG. 9 is the GLC profile for Fraction 15 of the foregoing distillation.

FIG. 10 is the GLC profile for Fraction 8 of the foregoing distillation.

FIG. 11 is the GLC profile for Fraction 16 of the foregoingdistillation. All GLC conditions are 8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmedat 220° C. isothermal.

EXAMPLE V PREPARATION OF CYCLOOCTYL MERCAPTOACETATE

Reaction: ##STR108##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and heating mantle are placed 32 grams of cyclooctanol; 9.2grams of mercaptoacetic acid and 0.5 grams paratoluene sulfonic acid.

The reaction mass is heated to reflux and maintained at reflux for aperiod of 8 hours. At the end of the 8 hour period, the reaction mass iswashed with one 25 ml volume of water and then dried over anhydroussodium sulfate. The reaction mass is then distilled on a microdistillation apparatus yielding the compound having the structure:##STR109##

The compound having the structure: ##STR110## has a roasted, floral andgrapefruit aroma and taste profile at 0.5 ppm.

FIG. 12 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 220° C. isothermal). The peakindicated by reference numeral 120 is the peak for the compound havingthe structure: ##STR111##

FIG. 13 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR112## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE VI PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEPTYL MERCAPTOACETATE

Reaction: ##STR113##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and heating mantle are placed 28.5 grams of cycloheptanol; 9.2grams of mercaptoacetic acid and 0.5 grams of paratoluene sulfonic acid.The reaction mass is heated to reflux and refluxed for a period of 10hours. A the end of the 10 hour period, the reaction mass is washed withone 25 ml volume of water followed by drying over anhydrous sodiumsulfate. The reaction mass is then distilled in a micro distillationapparatus yielding the compound having the structure ##STR114##

FIG. 14 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 100°-220° l C. at 8° C. perminute). The peak indicated by reference numeral 140 is the peak for thecompound having the structure: ##STR115## as confirmed by NMR, IR andmass spectral analyses.

The resulting product having the structure: ##STR116## has a distinctroasted, sulfury and floral aroma and taste profile at 0.5 ppm.

FIG. 15 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR117## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE VII PREPARATION OF (4'-t-BUTYLCYCLOHEXYL)-3-MERCAPTO-PROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR118##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with reflux condenser, hot plate,spin bar and thermometer are placed 15.5 grams of 4-t-butylcyclohexanol;0.5 grams paratoluene sulfonic acid and 15.5 grams of3-mercapto-propionic acid.

The reaction mass is heated to reflux and maintained at reflux for aperiod of 12 hours. At the end of the 12 period, the reaction mass isdistilled on a micro distillation apparatus yielding the compound havingthe structure: ##STR119##

The resulting product having the structure: ##STR120## has a roasted androasted meat aroma and taste profile at 0.001 ppm causing it to beuseful in roasted meat, roasted nut and caramel flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 16 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR121## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE VIII PREPARATION OF CYCLOPENTYL MERCAPTO ACETATE

Reaction: ##STR122##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and heating mantle are placed 21.5 grams of cyclopentanol and9.2 grams of mercaptoacetic acid.

The reaction mass is heated to reflux and refluxed for a period of 9hours. At the end of the 9 hour period, the reaction mass isfractionally distilled on a micro distillation apparatus to yield thecompound having the structure: ##STR123##

The compound having the structure: ##STR124## has a oniony and roastedonion aroma and taste profile at 0.2 ppm.

FIG. 17 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product (Conditions:8'×0.125" SE-30 column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute).The peak indicated by reference numeral 170 is the peak for the compoundhaving the structure: ##STR125##

FIG. 18 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR126## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE IX PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEPTYL-2-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR127## Into a 50 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer,thermometer, reflux condenser and heating mantle are placed 11.4 gramscycloheptanol; 22 grams of 2-mercaptopropionic acid and 0.5 grams ofparatoluene sulfonic acid. The reaction mass is heated to reflux andrefluxed for a period of 10 hours. At the end of the 10 hour period, thereaction mass is distilled on a micro distillation apparatus to yieldthe compound having the structure: ##STR128##

The compound having the structure: ##STR129## has a roasted, fruity,green, kiwi-like and citrus aroma and taste profile at 0.1 ppm causingit to be useful in kiwi, cashew and citrus flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 19 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product containing thecompound having the structure: ##STR130## (Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowaxcolumn programmed at 220° C. isothermal).

The peak indicated by reference numeral 190 is the peak for the compoundhaving the structure: ##STR131##

FIG. 20 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR132## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE X PREPARATION OF CYCLOPENTYL-2-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR133##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and heating mantle are placed 86 grams of cyclopentanol; 25grams of 2-mercaptopropionic acid; and 1 gram of paratoluene sulfonicacid. The reaction mass is heated to reflux and refluxed for a period of8 hours. At the end of the 8 hour reflux period, the reaction mass iscooled and admixed with 200 ml diethylether followed by washing with two100 ml volumes of 10% aqueous sodium carbonate and one 100 ml volume ofwater. The reaction mass is dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and thesolvent is recovered on a Buchi apparatus. The reaction mass is thenmicro distilled yielding the product having the structure: ##STR134##

The product having the structure: ##STR135## has a boiled corn, boiledgreen bean and cooked ham aroma and taste profile at 1 ppm.

FIG. 21 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR136## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE XI PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEXYL-2-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR137##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and heating mantle are placed 100 grams of cyclohexanol; 26grams of 2-mercaptopropionic acid and 0.5 grams of paratoluene sulfonicacid.

The reaction mass is heated to reflux and refluxed for a period of 9hours. At the end of the 9 hour period, the reaction mass is cooled toroom temperature and admixed with 200 ml diethylether followed bywashing with two 100 ml volumes of 10% aqueous sodium carbonate and one100 ml volume of water. The reaction mass is then dried over anhydroussodium sulfate and the solvent is recovered on a Buchi evaporator. Thereaction mass is then distilled on a micro distillation apparatusyielding the following fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor       Liquid   Vacuum                                         Fraction  Temp.       Temp.    mm/Hg.                                         No.       (°C.)                                                                              (°C.)                                                                           Pressure                                       ______________________________________                                        1          50/         55/     5                                              2         47          55       5                                              3         63          72       5                                              4         86          95       5                                              5         78          120      5                                              ______________________________________                                    

The resulting product having the structure: ##STR138## has a boiledcorn, boiled green bean and cooked ham aroma and taste profile at 1 ppmcausing it to be useful in augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste ofham and boiled green vegetable flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 22 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product containing thecompound having the structure: ##STR139## (Conditions: Carbowax columnprogrammed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. per minute). The peak indicated byreference numeral 220 is the peak for the compound having the structure:##STR140##

FIG. 23 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR141## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE XII PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEXYL-3-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR142##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and heating mantle are placed 100 grams of cyclohexanol; 26grams of 3-mercaptopropionic acid and 0.5 grams of paratoluene sulfonicacid. The reaction mass is heated to reflux and refluxed for a period of11 hours. At the end of the 11 hour period of refluxing, the reactionmass is cooled to room temperature. 200 ml Diethylether are added to thereaction mass. The reaction mass is then washed with two 100 ml volumesof 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution followed by one 100 ml volumeof water. The reaction mass is dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate andthe solvent is recovered on a Buchi evaporator. The reaction mass isthen micro distilled on a micro distillation apparatus yielding thefollowing fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor       Liquid   Vacuum                                         Fraction  Temp.       Temp.    mm/Hg.                                         No.       (°C.)                                                                              (°C.)                                                                           Pressure                                       ______________________________________                                        1          50/         57/     5                                              2         54          62       5                                              3         90          70       5                                              4         97          108      5                                              5         90          120      5                                              ______________________________________                                    

The compound having the structure: ##STR143## has a roasted, roastedsesame and roasted peanut aroma and taste profile at 0.1 ppm causing itto be useful in peanut, almond and sesame flavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 24 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product.

FIG. 25 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR144## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE XIII PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEPTYL-3-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR145##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and hot plate are placed 45.6 grams of cycloheptanol; 16 gramsof 3-mercaptopropionic acid and 0.5 grams of paratoluene sulfonic acid.The reaction mass is heated to reflux and refluxed for a period of 12hours. At the end of the 12 hour period, the reaction mass is cooled anddistilled on a micro distillation apparatus yielding the compound havingthe structure: ##STR146## as confirmed by GLC, IR, NMR and mass spectralanalyses.

The compound having the structure: ##STR147## has a roasted, cashewjuice, sulfury and roasted almond aroma and taste profile at 0.01 ppmcausing it to be useful in cashew juice, roasted almond and caramelflavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 26 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR148## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE XIV PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEXYL(4-METHYLTHIO)BUTYRATE

Reaction: ##STR149##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with magnetic stirrer, heatingmantle, nitrogen sparger and reflux condenser are placed 10 gramscyclohexanol; 8.1 grams of methyl(4-methylthio)butyrate; and 0.5 gramsof sodium methoxide (25% in methyl alcohol). The reaction mass is heatedto 100° C. and maintained at 100° C. for a period of 15 minutes. At theend of the 15 minute period, the reaction mass is cooled and transferredto a separatory funnel where 45 ml of methylene chloride is added. Theresulting mixture is washed with two 50 ml portions of water. Themethylene dichloride layer is then separated and dried over anhydroussodium sulfate and distilled on a micro distillation apparatus yieldingthe following fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor       Liquid   Vacuum                                         Fraction  Temp.       Temp.    mm/Hg.                                         No.       (°C.)                                                                              (°C.)                                                                           Pressure                                       ______________________________________                                        1         30/80       33/38    5                                              2         135         155      5                                              3         135         195      5                                              4         130         220      5                                              ______________________________________                                    

The compound having the structure: ##STR150## has a pineapple and greenaroma and taste profile at 0.2 ppm causing it to be useful in pineappleflavored foodstuffs.

FIG. 27 is the GLC profile for Fraction 4 of the foregoing distillation(Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at 220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 28 is the GLC profile for Fraction 3 of the foregoing distillation(Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at 220° C. isothermal).

FIG. 29 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR151## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE XV PREPARATION OF CYCLOOCTYL-3-MERCAPTOPROPIONATE

Reaction: ##STR152##

Into a 100 ml reaction flask equipped with reflux condenser, hot plateand spin bar are placed 45.6 grams of cyclooctenol; 16 grams of3-mercaptopropionate and 0.5 grams of paratoluene sulfonic acid. Using ahot plate, the reaction mass is heated to reflux and reflux is continuedfor a period of 9 hours. At the end of the 9 hour period, the reactionmass is cooled to room temperature and micro distilled on a microdistillation apparatus yielding the compound having the structure:##STR153## as confirmed by NMR, IR and mass spectral anaylses. Theresulting product having the structure: ##STR154## has a roasted,sulfury, concord grape and burnt potato skin aroma and taste profile at0.1 ppm causing it to be useful in potato and concord grape flavoredfoodstuffs.

FIG. 30 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR155## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; Solvent: CFCl₃).

EXAMPLE XVI PREPARATION OF CONCORD GRAPE JAM

At the rate of 0.1 ppm the compound having the structure: ##STR156##prepared according to Example XV and the compound having the structure:##STR157## prepared according to Example IV(B) are added separately toSMUCKER'S® grape jam (manufactured by the J. M. Smucker Company ofOrrville, Ohio 44667). Each of the compounds prepared according toExample XV and IV(B) imparts a very natural concord grape nuance to thegrape jam causing it to be preferred by a bench panel of five members.Each of the members of the bench panel is employed by InternationalFlavors & Fragrances Inc., the assignee of the instant application. Eachof the members of the bench panel did not know the nature of thematerials being compared and the meaning of the results ascertained. Thepreference is a unanimous preference.

EXAMPLE XVII

The substance having the structure: ##STR158## prepared according toExample VII is added to a 2% solution of Wyler's "Beef Flavored InstantBouillon" (manufactured by Wyler Foods, a Division of Borden, Inc.,Chicago, Ill.:

    ______________________________________                                                Ingredients                                                           ______________________________________                                                salt;                                                                         hydrolyzed vegetable protein;                                                 malto dextrin;                                                                sugar;                                                                        beef fat;                                                                     water;                                                                        monosodium glutamate;                                                         flavorings;                                                                   corn sugar;                                                                   beef extract;                                                                 caramel color;                                                                hydrogenated vegetable fat; and                                               U.S. certified food color                                             ______________________________________                                    

at the rate of 0.001 ppm.

The resulting flavor can be described as "beef with excellent roastedmeat, roasted nut and caramel-like nuances". The roasted nuances have avery natural like flavor imparted by the compound having the structure:##STR159## prepared according to Example VII.

EXAMPLE XVIII

To GOYA® guava jelly (manufactured by Goya Foods Inc. of Secaucus, N.J.07094) containing:

guava fruit;

guava juice;

sugar;

corn syrup;

pectin;

citrus acid;

is placed at levels of 0.1 ppm and 0.5 ppm the compound having thestructure: ##STR160## prepared according to Example II.

The resulting guava jelly has an excellent durian flavor with grapefruitnuances which render the jelly more aesthetically pleasing to a panel offive members. The panel of five members unanimously prefer the guavajelly containing the compound having the structure: ##STR161## over theguava jelly without the compound having the structure: ##STR162##

EXAMPLE XIX

The compound having the structure: ##STR163## prepared according toExample VIII is dissolved in 95% ethanol to provide a 2% solution and isheld at room temperature for 24 hours. It is then diluted with water andthe water solution is added to a chicken broth to obtain a concentrationof 2.5 ppm. It is found that the chicken taste is deepened and a lightonion after taste is added. Increasing the concentration to 5 ppm addsan onion aroma and a roasted onion taste is dominating.

It is judged that the flavor additive having the structure: ##STR164##can replace flavors where roasted onion is used. It may also be used tosupplement other onion flavors containing:

allyl propenyl disulfide;

allyl propenyl trisulfide;

diallyl disulfide;

allyl methyl disulfide; and

allyl methyl trisulfide.

EXAMPLE XX

Separately, the substances described as follows: ##STR165## are added,respectively at the levels of 0.1 ppm, 0.01 ppm, 0.1 ppm, 0.1 ppm and 1ppm to SMUCKER'S® natural peanut butter produced by the J. M. SmuckerCompany of Orrville, Ohio 44667.

The compound having the structure: ##STR166## prepared according toExample XII imparts a long-lasting natural character to the peanutbutter even after it is maintained in an open jar in a refrigerator for3 weeks.

The compound having the structure: ##STR167## prepared according toExample XIII imparts a long-lasting cashew nuance to the peanut buttermaking it more aesthetically pleasing.

The compound having the structure: ##STR168## produced according toExample IV(B) imparts a cashew and almond nuance to the peanut butter ina long-lasting manner making it more aesthetically pleasing.

The compound having the structure: ##STR169## imparts a cashew nuance tothe peanut butter making it more aesthetically pleasing.

The compound having the structure: ##STR170## prepared according toExample III imparts a fresh long-lasting, natural roasted character tothe peanut butter and causes it to be "natural tasting" for a period of3 weeks even if the peanut butter is left in an open jar in arefrigerator.

A bench panel of five members unanimously prefers the peanut butterscontaining the cycloalkyl esters of mercaptoalkanoic acids set forthabove over peanut butter not containing such materials. Each of themembers of the bench panel is an employee of International Flavors &Fragrances Inc., the assignee of the above-identified application andeach of the members of the bench panel did not know the nature of thematerials being compared and the meaning of the results ascertained.

EXAMPLE XXI

Separately, the substances is described as follows: ##STR171## are addedat the rates of 0.1 ppm, 0.2 ppm, 0.1 ppm, 1 ppm and 0.5 ppm,respectively, to (a) ACME® unsweetened grapefruit juice made fromconcentrate (distributed by the American Stores Buying Company of SaltLake City, Utah 84130); and (b) SMUCKER'S® sweet orange marmalade(manufactured by the J. M. Smucker Company of Orrville, Ohio 44667).

The compound having the structure: ##STR172## prepared according toExample IX imparts an intense, Kiwi aroma and taste nuance to thegrapefruit juice and to the sweet orange marmalade making it moreaesthetically pleasing to a blind bench panel of five members.

The compound having the structure: ##STR173## prepared according toExample XIV imparts an intense pineapple aroma and taste to thegrapefruit juice and to the sweet orange marmalade thereby making itmore aesthetically pleasing (unanimous opinion) to a blind bench panelof five members.

The compound having the structure: ##STR174## prepared according toExample I(A) imparts an intense pineapple aroma and taste nuance to thegrapefruit juice and to the sweet orange marmalade causing it to beunanimously preferred by a blind bench panel of five members.

The compound having the structure: ##STR175## imparts a durian note tothe grapefruit juice and to the sweet orange marmalade and also impartsan additional grapefruit nuance to the sweet orange marmalade makingboth the grapefruit juice and the sweet orange marmalade moreaesthetically pleasing and causing them to be preferred by a blind benchpanel of five members.

The compound having the structure: ##STR176## prepared according toExample V causes the grapefruit juice (even in an open tin container),refrigerated, to be more aesthetically pleasing than one not containingthe compound having the structure: ##STR177## because the tin nuancefrom the tin container is "covered".

The compound having the structure: ##STR178## imparts a pleasantgrapefruit nuance to the sweet orange marmalade causing it to bepreferred by a blind bench panel of five members, unanimously.

EXAMPLE XXII PREPARATION OF CYCLOPENTYL-4-(METHYLTHIO)BUTYRATE

Reaction: ##STR179##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, refluxcondenser and nitrogen sparging apparatus is placed 8.6 gramscyclopentanol; 8.1 grams of the ethyl ester of 4(methylthio)butyric acidand 0.5 grams of a 25% solution of sodium methoxide in methyl alcohol.The reaction mixture with stirring and with nitrogen sparging is heatedto 100° C. and maintained at 100° C. for a period of 8 hours. At the endof the 8 hour period, the reaction mass is cooled and transferred to aseparatory funnel. 50 ml Methylene dichloride is added. The reactionmass is washed with two 50 ml portions of water. The organic phase isdried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and distilled on a microdistillation apparatus yielding the following fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor   Liquid     Vacuum Weight                                    Fraction  Temp.   Temp.      mm/Hg. of                                        No.       (°C.)                                                                          (°C.)                                                                             Pressure                                                                             Fraction                                  ______________________________________                                        1         90/47   123/30     8-9/12 1.0                                       2         100     135        5      3.4                                       3         125     142        3      4.3                                       4         120     155        3      4.3                                       5         110     210        3      1.8                                       ______________________________________                                    

NMR, IR, GLC and mass spectral analyses yield the information that theresulting product has the structure: ##STR180##

FIG. 31 is the GLC profile for the crude reaction product (Conditions:8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at 100°-120° C. at 8° C. perminute).

FIG. 32 is the GLC profile for Fraction 3 of the foregoing distillation.

FIG. 33 is the GLC profile for Fraction 4 of the foregoing distillation(Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8°C. per minute).

FIG. 34 is the GLC profile for Fraction 5 of the foregoing distillation(Conditions: Carbowax column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8° C. perminute).

FIG. 35 is the NMR spectrum for the compound having the structure:##STR181## (Conditions: Field strength: 100 MHz; solvent: CFCl₃).

The resulting product having the structure: ##STR182## has anaesthetically pleasing pineapple and fruity aroma at 5 ppm.

EXAMPLE XXIII PREPARATION OF CYCLOHEPTYL-4-(METHYLTHIO)BUTYRATE

Reaction: ##STR183##

Into a 250 ml reaction flask equipped with magnetic stirrer, heatingmantle, thermometer, nitrogen sparger and reflux condenser are placed11.4 cycloheptanol; 8.1 grams of the ethyl ester of4-(methylthio)butyric acid and 0.5 grams of a 25% methanolic solution ofsodium methoxide.

The reaction mass is heated to 100° C. while sparging with nitrogen andmaintained at that temperature for a period of 3 hours. At the end ofthe 3 hour period, the reaction mass is cooled to room temperature andtransferred to a separatory funnel whereupon 50 ml methylene dichlorideis added. The resulting mixture is washed with two 50 ml portions ofwater and the methylene chloride extract is dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate and distilled on a micro distillation column yielding thefollowing fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                  Vapor   Liquid     Vacuum Weight                                    Fraction  Temp.   Temp.      mm/Hg. of                                        No.       (°C.)                                                                          (°C.)                                                                             Pressure                                                                             Fraction                                  ______________________________________                                        1         70/70   110/103    10     2.3                                       2         168     180        10     0.7                                       3         165     185        10     3.7                                       4         165     245        10     4.3                                       ______________________________________                                    

The resulting product is confirmed to have the structure: ##STR184## byNMR, IR, mass spectral and GLC analyses.

FIG. 36 is the GLC profile for Fraction 4 of the foregoing distillation(Conditions: 8'×0.25" carbowax column programmed at 100°-220° C. at 8°C. per minute).

FIG. 37 is the NMR spectrum for Fraction 4 of the foregoing distillationcontaining the compound having the structure: ##STR185## (Conditions:Field strength: 100 MHz; solvent: CFCl₃).

The resulting product having the structure: ##STR186## has an excellentfruity, pineapple and roasted aroma and taste profile at 0.2 ppm causingit to be useful in pineapple and peanut flavored foodstuffs.

EXAMPLE XXIV

At the rate of 5 ppm, the compound having the structure: ##STR187## isadded to SMUCKER'S® orange marmalade. The compound having the structure:##STR188## imparts a pleasant and aesthetically pleasing pineapplenuance to this orange marmalade causing it to be preferred unanimouslyby a bench panel of five members (blind panel not associated with theinventive entity of the instant application).

What is claimed is:
 1. The cycloalkyl ester of mercaptoalkanoic acidhaving the structure: ##STR189##
 2. The cycloalkyl ester ofmercaptoalkanoic acid having the structure: ##STR190##
 3. The cycloalkylester of mercaptoalkanoic acid having the structure: ##STR191##
 4. Thecycloalkyl ester of mercaptoalkanoic acid having the structure:##STR192##
 5. The cycloalkyl ester of mercaptoalkanoic acid having thestructure: ##STR193##